Replay: Chat with Lions writer Dave Birkett

Dave took your questions about the team Feb. 18, 2013

Hi everyone. Back for another offseason chat. Combine starts this week, free agency's right around the corner. What do you want to know?

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:01:26 PM

Can the Lions afford a DE in FA ??

by GVWLION2/18/2013 5:01:35 PM

Cliff Avril? ... And if they don't sign Cliff, they better be able to afford someone because their defense relies on the pass rush and they don't have any outside rushers right now.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:02:12 PM

Dave, Avril turned down $30 mil for 3 years last year and he's coming off a worse year production and play wise yet he want near Mario Millions money. Is he done as a Lion?

by Lions992/18/2013 5:02:19 PM

I still think there's a chance he comes back, but he's going to be one of the most coveted free agents on the market. He's not going to get Mario WIlliams money, but I'd venture to guess he'll still get $10 million a year or so. Maybe more. Especially if Michael Johnson gets tagged.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:03:36 PM

I think Nate killed it on NFLAM early today. Can the Lions sign Reggie Bush?

by DemitirusM2/18/2013 5:03:39 PM

Nate's great in the media world. His next job for sure. ... Not sure the Lions will be able to afford Bush, but then again RBs don't typically command a ton of money in free agency. Personally, I think a rookie would be the better, more cost-efficient solution, though Bush does fit the skill set their looking for.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:04:49 PM

Oh, and don't think for a second that Stafford following Bush on Twitter or Nate's comments today were an accident.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:05:10 PM

What's the best way for a fan to go about contacting Jason Hanson so that a plea can be made for him to return? Your article implied that he wasn't satisfied with last season's performance, but he actually set a personal best for points scored.

by Kyle2/18/2013 5:05:19 PM

Stop by his house, I'm sure he won't mind.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:05:36 PM

No, I don't really endorse that. I'm sure he's heard it from people on the street, and I know he did at his autograph session. Best way to contact any player is through the team.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:06:19 PM

My priority in the draft would be DE, S, OG, and RB,,,,,unless filled in FA. What would your draft order look like ?

by GVWLION2/18/2013 5:06:22 PM

A lot depends on what happens in free agency, but I ranked the top 5 positions of need for the Sporting News the other day and I went 1-DE, 2-S, 3-RB, 4-CB, 5-WR

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:07:04 PM

Defensive end is a huge need, especially if Cliff leaves. LoJack is a free agent and Vanden Bosch is gone. Don't sleep on their need at WR, either. The team is built around Stafford and they don't have Titus, and Nate and Broyles are both coming off significant injuries.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:07:47 PM

Dave who will rise to the top of injured players the Lions might draft?

by Big R2/18/2013 5:07:51 PM

Haha. That's kind of funny. Jarvis Jones does have a questionable neck, right? I mean, USC wouldn't clear him to play for them ...

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:08:25 PM

To me the diff between Bush and a rookie like Andre Ellison is faith..Reggie has been there done that and not gottten a QB killed..Now if they cant get him, Ellison is the best all around and can pass pro/ bliltz pickup..the others scare me

by mork2/18/2013 5:08:29 PM

That's a fair point, and there's no debating that a veteran brings something a rookie does not. But I think the Lions can spend the money Bush would command on 2 positions and be better off, and if you get a rookie you're more likely to be set at the position for a longer period of time.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:09:26 PM

Bush had some injuries early in his career, he turns 28 next month. RBs don't play forever even though he's never been a workhorse.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:09:53 PM

Do you think that the WR situation in Detroit is any better than last year?

by Justin2/18/2013 5:09:56 PM

No, it's not. Last year, the Lions still had Titus Young that they were counting on. Nate's a year older now and Broyles has torn ACLs in both knees. They need at least 1 and maybe 2 WRs.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:10:43 PM

Chris Houston Co. Williams safe to say they won't be return??

by AZChris2/18/2013 5:10:46 PM

A lot of the free agent talks heat up this week in Indy. Every agent is in town and I'm sure the Lions will meet with most. I'm not sure what the market will hold for Corey Williams, but if his value is down I could see him coming back for one last hurrah. Houston will command more money. better chance he leaves though the Lions need at least one veteran CB.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:11:58 PM

Dave, what other moves do you foresee being made to clear the needed cap space to fill out the roster?

by Lions992/18/2013 5:12:00 PM

Nate will restructure his deal, obviously. He's said as much. Between that and Raiola's new deal, that's a few million. If the Lions can give Stafford a new contract they'll probably save $10 million or so in cap room. That's enough to do what they need to do. Calvin can always do a simple restructure and save them almost $4 mil in cap room.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:13:15 PM

One thing I'd be wary of is doing a simple restructure with Suh again. His contract number for next year is already $17 million or so. If the Lions don't re-sign him before he becomes a free agent (after 2014), they'd have to franchise him at 120 percent of his cap number. That might be impossible to manage. Another restructure would make that number soar

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:14:22 PM

Will they restructure Suh and if he refuses will they try to move him?

by Andrew2/18/2013 5:14:27 PM

As for trying to move him, that won't happen this year. I don't have the number in front of me, but he'd count about $17 million in dead money if they did. No way you can take that on and have to fill what he gives you on the field.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:15:13 PM

Why would the Lions wait till they were in the bottom half of teams before getting with the times and upgrading their player personel system? It's not like our drafting had been impeccable up to this point!

by Lyle Plume2/18/2013 5:15:34 PM

It was kind of odd to hear them say 2 weeks ago that when they surveyed the league, 18 of 32 teams were using their own scouting data systems and they wanted to get with that trend. It's more than a trend now, it's imperative.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:17:11 PM

Houston, Delmas, Avril, Levy, Durant, Cherilus - Which of these players to you expect to return and which do you expect to be gone?

by Big Biting Pig2/18/2013 5:17:13 PM

Just making guesses here. Again, we'll find out plenty more when we get to Indy, where the walls talk. But I'd say 1 of Levy or Durant, not sure which. I think Delmas comes back on a short-term prove it deal. I still think there's a chance Avril is back. Lions need to win now. Cliff gives them the best chance. If he's not back, then Houston will be, I'd guess. And I think Gosder will find more elsewhere.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:18:44 PM

Dave do you plan on doing any ground breaking baseball articles in the offseason?

I think there'll be better options than Werner at 5, and I'm not sure Elam will be there at 36.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:19:39 PM

I found out the Lions had a 2nd toughest schedule in 2013. Can the lions make the playoffs this year or else?

by DemitirusM2/18/2013 5:19:43 PM

The Lions do have one of the toughest schedules, but yeah, they can still make the playoffs. If Stafford returns to form, they'll be right back in contention. And I don't necessarily think it's playoffs or bust. But they certainly can't go 4-12 again. Need to be competitive again.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:20:36 PM

What's the deal with Jason Fox? Assuming he can stay healthy, would the staff want him starting?

by Joe2/18/2013 5:20:38 PM

The way things stand right now, I'd say there's a pretty good chance both Fox and Riley Reiff are starting on the offensive line next year. I said this on Twitter the other day, but Fox at RT and Reiff at RG.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:21:32 PM

And I can't give you a good scouting report on Fox since he's barely played because of injuries, but coaches are high on him.

by Dave Birkett2/18/2013 5:21:53 PM

Dave, Werner is the highly regarded as the #1 4-3 DE in the draft, what better options would there be than him? Joeckel? Fisher?

by Lions992/18/2013 5:22:00 PM

I've seen the rankings, but those can, will and have changed. I doubt Joeckel makes it to 5. Probably the No. 1 OT. I think Fisher could be in the mix. Jarvis Jones and Damontre Moore are two guys I'll be talking to scouts about this week. Dion Jordan from Oregon, too. Don't know enough about him yet.